xinh xẻo
Definition
- Adjective:
- Pretty and delicate: Describes a person, especially a woman or child, who is attractive in a small, neat, and pleasing way. It emphasizes a charming and well-proportioned appearance.
- Cute and lovely: Often used to describe something small and aesthetically pleasing, conveying a sense of endearing charm.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Em bé đó trông thật xinh xẻo. (That baby looks so pretty and delicate.)
- Cô ấy có khuôn mặt rất xinh xẻo. (She has a very lovely, delicate face.)
- Căn nhà nhỏ trông xinh xẻo với khu vườn phía trước. (The small house looks cute and lovely with its front garden.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used in a complimentary and affectionate tone. It is more common in spoken language than in very formal written contexts.
- It can sometimes imply a sense of being well-groomed or tidy in addition to being pretty.
Variants and Related Words
Xinh xắn (adj): Pretty, cute, attractive. This is a very close synonym and is often used interchangeably with "xinh xẻo."
- Chiếc váy này thật xinh xắn. (This dress is so pretty.)
Xinh đẹp (adj): Beautiful, pretty. This term is generally stronger and more common than "xinh xẻo."
- Cô ấy là một người phụ nữ xinh đẹp. (She is a beautiful woman.)
Synonyms
- Pretty: Pleasing to the eye in a delicate way.
- Cute: Attractive in a pretty or endearing way.
- Lovely: Exquisitely beautiful or charming.
Related Idioms
- Xinh như tiên: As pretty as a fairy. This idiom is used to describe someone as being exceptionally beautiful.
- Cô dâu trong ngày cưới trông xinh như tiên. (The bride looked as pretty as a fairy on her wedding day.)